Nature reserves on the Belgian coast: walking from Nieuwpoort

The nature reserves on the Belgian coast form a chain of dunes, mudflats and polders between De Panne and Knokke-Heist, and from Dune Hotel Nieuwpoort you walk into the first one without starting the car. The Simliduinen dunes border our hotel in Nieuwpoort-Bad, the IJzermonding nature reserve is within 4 kilometres and the coastal tram outside the door takes you to the reserves further along the coast. Dune violets, seals on the mudflats, thousands of geese in the polder: every season has its own face here. Below are all the nature reserves with their own page, grouped by distance from the hotel.

Next door: Simliduinen and the IJzermonding

Two nature reserves lie next door, in Nieuwpoort itself, within walking distance or a short bike ride of your room. 

The west coast: dunes of Koksijde and Oostduinkerke

On the west coast, west of Nieuwpoort, lies one of the largest dune complexes on the coast, 10 to 15 minutes away by car or coastal tram. 

The east coast: polders, dune woods and Het Zwin

Beyond Ostend, the east coast becomes a day trip of 30 to 50 minutes by car, with the coastal tram as an alternative as far as Knokke-Heist. Four reserves, four landscapes. 

Into nature with your dog

Your dog is welcome in our dog-friendly rooms on the ground floor, with tiled floors and a terrace. In the nature reserves, the rules differ from one manager to the next, so check the reserve's page before you set off. A few fixed points to help you plan:

• In the Uitkerkse Polder your dog may join you on a lead; in the Duinbossen De Haan there is an off-lead area at Zwarte Kiezel, and elsewhere a lead of no more than 1.50 metres applies.
• In the reserve at Heist-aan-Zee, dogs are not allowed, even on a lead.
• On the beach at Nieuwpoort, dogs are banned in high season, from mid-June to mid-September; outside that period they are welcome on a lead.

Everything about our dog rules and the dog meadow in Nieuwpoort is on hotel with dog by the sea. There you will also find the rules for a second pet and breakfast in the separate room for guests with a dog. That way you know in advance where your four-legged friend can come along and where he is better off staying in the room.

How to get there from the hotel

From the hotel there are three ways to get there. The De Lijn coastal tram stops at Sint-Bernardusplein, 10 metres from our front door, and runs past all the reserves along the coastline as far as Knokke-Heist. For the west coast, a hire bike from reception is all you need; for the east coast, take the car, which stays in our covered, secure car park, included with a booking through our website or at reception. If you cycle or ride a motorbike yourself, you can hire a secure underground garage. Want to combine nature and towns? Then also see our overview of the towns on the Belgian coast.

Coming home among the dunes

Coming home after a day of mudflats, salt marshes and shifting sand means a hotel that itself borders a nature reserve: a view of the dunes from your balcony, the beach 150 metres away and the calm of Nieuwpoort-Bad. Our 88 rooms are there for walkers with a dog, families with muddy boots and couples who only want to hear the sound of the sea; the breakfast buffet is included with a direct booking. Which nature reserve is at the top of your list? Discover our room types and book your stay now by the sea.